On April 5, 2023, the International Life Sciences Institute Europe (ILSI) published a report giving a summary of methods for analyzing non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) across various food contact materials (FCMs). The publication is part of the ongoing efforts by ILSI’s Packaging Materials Task Force to provide research on FCMs and follows up on an article published on January 26, 2022 (FPF reported).
The document presents a comprehensive overview of NIAS analysis and provides insights into examining different FCMs, and highlighting the unique requirements for analyzing migrants whether intentionally or non-intentionally added. The overview discusses analytical methods available for detecting NIAS, along with their strengths and limitations.
Much of the report is dedicated to presenting background on different tests for various FCMs and explaining why the standard methods used for plastics outlined in the Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 are not always suitable for some non-harmonized FCMs (FPF reported). For nine groups of non-harmonized FCMs including printing inks, silicones, and paper and board, the authors gathered the diverse array of EU Member State regulations and recommendations along with industry recommendations for each material. The table highlights that “[t]he current situation is complicated.” Which leads the authors to conclude, “[r]egulators, authorities and industry need harmonised guidelines for determining NIAS and assessing their risks.”
Furthermore, the article proposes better communication along product supply chains, which have become increasingly important with the European Commission’s intention to request details of detected NIAS to be shared with the end user of a food contact article (FPF reported).
Reference
ILSI (April 5, 2023). “An Overview of Approaches for Analysing NIAS from different FCMs.”
Read more
Nikki Hancocks (April 17, 2023). “ILSI Europe issues new guidance on analysing packaging migrants.” NutraIngredients
